My old BJJ school use to be affiliated with Rickson. We broke the affiliation because Rickson was too busy to visit our school regularly,(Understandable) And we went to the Machados. My old instructor trained with him(Rickson) many times.

I believe that before the Mixed Martial Arts game became popular to the masses and before the invasion of great wrestlers who crossed trained in submission and kickboxing, Rickson may have been the most talented fighter alive!

Flash: Year 2002...times have changed!

Just like the great old chinese fighters many people on this forum often refer to, Rickson was a great fighter "in his day".

I still believe that no one "his size" can touch him in a pure grappling match.

But some of the fighters today would be far too much for Rickson. They are younger, stronger and faster world class athletes who have crossed trained in grappling/striking intelligently. And who have learned from Rickson himself, in one way or the other.

Rickson's heyday came when people were stuck into believing their "single style" was best. It was a day when young world class wrestlers who cross-trained in submission and Muay thai did not exist. Nor did were there world class kickboxers who cross-trained with a good takedown and submisson defense. Nor did the world class Judokas or Sambo artist compete in these events.

This is too bad and no fault of Rickson that he was ahead of the martial arts world.

I love the comment "Rickson is an internal martial artist". I agree.

As a Yoga teacher, I am thankful to Rickson in showing the male athlete the power of yoga. Now, many MMA athlete flock to yoga studios...even mine.

Much of Rickson success has nothing to do with BJJ, but everything to do with Rickson Gracie.

Robert

Robert,

Thanks for your insight. It seems the consensus among members of this discussion board is that the individual is more important than any particular style of martial art, as expressed in your last statement. I agree.

Do you really think there are that many people out there who could beat Rickson? Could you name some of them? I suppose age catches up with everyone, but, so far, nobody has actually beaten him, right? When was the last time he fought, anyway?

Steven

He hasn't fought a top ten or fifteen Mixed Martial artist.....ever!!!!!!

He fought a Japanese shootwrestler(Pro wrestler) who was a "legend in his day" also. But, he was practically retired when he fought Rickson. He is retired now. Rickson beat him easily.

Before that he fought a pro wrestler from Japan.

He fights the mid-level guys from Japan because they pay him millions and the Japanese like to see him.

Just check out any of the latest top ten MMA list and there are numerous heavyweights and middleweights who could probably beat him.

It doesn't matter. He is still great.

You have to get the video "Choke". It's a classic.

He is very inspiring!

He, unlike many of the Gracies, realize the value of the human body and all-around conditioning. He "admit's size and strength does matter". He is a real athlete!

Yes, he is very spiritual and internal...but he works his body as if it's a work of art or a machine.

Not to be a wet blanket, but is this the same Backarcher who was banned from emptyflower for his fraudulent posts?

I didn't know there was another "Backarcher" and I have no idea what "Empty Flower" is!

Sorry!

Robert

Strange...I thought it was the same Backarcher as well.

1: What is "Empty Flower"?

2: I didn't know a lot of Chinese martial artist(besides San Shou) knew what a "backarch" technique is?

3: Should I change my name? Hope not, I love the "backarch"!

How many other people thought the same?

I feel like I've adopted the name Osama Bin Ladin!

Robert

I want to catch this thread before it degenerates and veers off the original topic. Stay on topic or go the Flame Room or a little of both.

Yes, please!

Bottomline, Rickson is one of the most highly skilled fighters of modern times.

One thing I admire about him is his unwillingness to do an instructional video series. He would make millions. Yet, he said he wants to train students face to face, rather than by video.

Where can I find one of these 'top ten MMA' lists?

sherdog.com

OK, I looked it up. According to sherdog.com, Rickson Gracie is 5'10, 185 lbs. That puts him in the light-heavyweight division. Two names from the MMA top ten list that I recognized are Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell. I would like to know, how many of you think that either of these guys could beat Rickson? If so, that's just proof of how important strength and conditioning are, because there's no way these guys come anywhere close to his skill level.

Steven

Rickson could never take either one of those guys down!

They are both wrestlers who box very well. If went to the ground, Rickson would have a chance, but if wrestlers don't want to go down and they can box...they won't go down!

But we will never know!

So, let's go train.

I have a red uniform from Japan!

Backarcher,

What are you talking about? Rickson beat Takada like 27 times or something...

Are you being funny?

Takada is a good trainer, popular pro wrestler and decent MMA fighter, but he is no where near the level of the top guys.

I'll close with this...finally.

Rickson may be the greatest grappler to ever live.

Rickson is inspirational to me and millions.

If Rickson was in his early thirties instead of forties now and did more boxing, he would be untouchable.

I still believe his greatest gift to MA is in his heart, not on the mat.

Robert

You might want to change your underwear at this point.

Just a question, as I have no experience with this type of thing. If someone can train so that they do not have to go to the ground unless they want to, why all the recent emphasis on ground fighting?

Wouldn't it be better just to train not to go to the ground in the first place? I'd like to hear opinions on this becuase I debate my fellow tai chi practitioners on the utility of ground training. I'm trying to be open minded. Thanks.

>Wouldn't it be better just to train not to go to >the ground in the first place?

In general if something can go astray, it goes astray . If you have no idea how to fight on the ground (at least how to get up after being taken down) you might find yourself in very uncomfortable position in "real life" fight.

I don't mean that "every fight ends up on the ground" but some of them do.

Thanks. So I guess you don't believe that someone can willfully & through training avoid the ground in all situations.

But I always wonder how much the "other guy" in real situations wants to go to the ground. I've seen plenty of fights and I almost always see either neither or just one person go to the ground (the loser).

More importantly, as others have said many times, most of the trouble you have on the street comes from a group, not an individual. Hence, if you find yourself ground fighting with one of the group even with skill you are seriously compromised.

I think this may require a new thread. I'll go ahead & start one.